Thursday Defense Brief

A new report from a liberal think tank says the federal government should cut defense spending by $1 trillion over the next decade — just not through sequestration. – DEFCON Hill

The Pentagon spent $21 billion on intelligence operations last year, $3 billion less than the previous year, reflecting a spending decline across the national security spectrum that officials pinned to fiscal restraint. – Defense News

The Pentagon has significantly scaled back spending on sensitive intelligence programs, slashing billions from those programs in fiscal 2012, according to a recent department statement. – DEFCON Hill

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) write: Today, we must build the fleet that will protect us tomorrow. American naval dominance has underwritten global security and prosperity for decades. For that to continue, we need a Commander in Chief who listens to his military leaders and understands that American naval supremacy requires a fleet of sufficient capability and size. – The Hill’s Congress Blog

Joking that having fewer American warships in the water to keep the sea lanes open is the equivalent to having fewer horse-mounted cavalry brigades sadly demonstrates a lack of understanding of this critical issue by the current administration. – Newsmax

As politicians prepare to come up with a plan to strengthen the American economy, they would be wise to think first of those running and employed at America’s small businesses. As EADS’ O’Keefe also said, “the most vulnerable of these aerospace and defense suppliers are the vast number of small to mid-cap businesses that sustain millions of jobs, drive technology, and create the innovation that is the hallmark of American aerospace. While larger companies have the capacity to more successfully weather the impending fiscal storm, small businesses do not.” – inFocus Quarterly

Foreign Armies East

As the world’s most populous communist state anticipates a once-in-a-decade power transfer, a major leadership reshuffle in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) took place quietly last week. – Washington Times’ Inside China

If these pictures are real, then China has flown two new types of stealth fighters in less than two years. You’re looking at what’s supposedly the newly unveiled Shenyang Aircraft Corporation’s J-31 jet flying in the skies over China on Oct. 31. – Foreign Policy’s Killer Apps

Missile Defense

Defense contractor Lockheed Martin last week said it had received an $82 million deal from the U.S. Air Force to start early preparations for two additional satellites in support of the Space-Based Infrared System. – Global Security Newswire

The Swiss Federal Intelligence Service has assessed that NATO’s planned antimissile framework will by 2018 be capable of guarding all of Europe from any Iranian ballistic missile offensive, the Swiss daily Neue Zuercher Zeitung reported on Sunday. – Global Security Newswire